Floor-jack.



. PATENTED'APR. 2, 1907". H. C. PLEMING 6a W. P ROYSTER.

FLOOR JACK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9.1905.

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APPLIOATION lFILED AUG. 9. 1805.

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PATENTBD Amm, 1907.-

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. FLEMING AND WILLIAM F. ROYSTER, OF DEN ISON, TEXAS.

FLOOR-JACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1907.

Application filed August 9,1905. Serial No. 273.409.

To all whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that we, HENRY C. FLEMING and WILLIAM F. RoYs'rER, citizens of the United States, residing at Denison, in the county of Grayson, State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Floor-Jacks 3 and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to floor-tongs.

One object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, durable, and efficient carpenters tongs for the laying of ceiling, flooring, and wall-boards.

Another obj ect of the invention resides in the provision of a pair of tongs adapted to embrace the studding, joist, or sleepers and provided with means for pushing the board tightly in place before it is nailed.

Vith these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages ofthe present invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan View. Fig. 3 is a detail view. Fig. 4 is a Section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the dogs. Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the tool in use.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 1 designates a lever provided at one end with a handle, 2, with its opposite end bent outwardly to form a jaw 3. Secured to the lever 1 intermediate its ends is a metallic or other strap 4, between which and the lever 1 is a second lever 5, there being a bolt 6 piercing the strap or band 4 to prevent disengage-- ment of the lever 5 therefrom. It will be observed that this lever 5 is not provided with a handle member and that its end adjacent the jaw 3 of the lever 1 is bent outwardly to form a jaw 7 for cooperation with the j aw 3.

In the outer end of each jaw 3 and 7 we provide an opening in which We fit the screwthreaded shank 9 of each of the studding,

joist, or sleeper enga ing dogs 10 and 11, the said dogs being fitte against the inner faces of the respective jaws 3 and 7. If these dogs 10 and 11 were mounted tightly with respect to the jaws 3 and 7, there would be a tendency of the dogs sliding with the sliding movement of the lever 1 regardless of the fact that each dog is provided with a sharp engagin point 12. It is for this purpose that we formed the said openings in the jaws a little larger than the diameter of the Shanks 9, so that the dogs will have a little play with respect to the jaw, so that when the lever 1 is moved in either direction for the movin of the jaws the dogs will not be disturbed, ut will engage tightly the studding, j oist, or sleeper. However, the dogs 10 and l1 cannot become disengaged from the respective jaws 3 and 7, for the reason that we provide a nut 13 for engagement with the screwthreads of the shanks 9, as shown. While this movement of the dogs longitudinally of the jaws is permitted, we secure suitable stops 14 and 15 at one end of each dog for engagement with the corresponding edge of the back of each of the respective jaws, preventinfr rotation of the dogs.

t willube observed that the lever 1 is preferably straight in the rear of the aforesaid strap 4, while the lever 5 is bent upon a compound curve, as shown. In order to force the respective dogs 10 and 11 of the jaws 3 and 7 toward each other, we provide alining perforations 14 and 15 in the respective levers for the slidable reception of a bolt 16, upon which bolt there is mounted a helical spring 17 for engagement with the inner faces of the respective levers to force the dogs toward each other, as well understood. By means of a suitable pivot-bolt 18, passed through the lever 1, we mount a bar 19 for swinging movement. The outer end of this bar is provided with teeth 2() for lirm engagement with the top of the studding, j oist, or sleeper to brace the ton s when forcin a board into place. It wil be observed t at this brace-bar 19 is pivotally connected to the lever 1 only-that is, it is not connected in any way to the lever 5. This brace-bar 19 is twisted intermediate its ends, so that the teeth 20 may lie transversely of the studding, joist, or sleeper.

Experiments have shown that if a pull be exerted upon both levers 1 and 5 there is a tendency of the dogs loosening in their grip upon the studding, joist, or sleeper. For

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ro both of the levers.

What is claimed is- Y A device ofthe class described, comprising levers pivoted intermediate their ends, each lever having .a jaw portion, a dog loosely mounted in each jaw portion, a spring arranged between the levers to force said dogs normally toward each other, and a brace-bar pivotally connected to one of the levers.

ln testimony whereof We 'alix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY C. FLEMING. VILLIAM F. ROYSTER.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN F. TRUoKWoRTI-I, CHAs. C. MCCARTHY. 

